Peters accepts invitation to visit North Korea

Foreign Minister Winston
Peters accepted an invitation to visit North Korea when he
met his North Korean counterpart Pak Vi Chun in Manila
yesterday evening.

"The meeting offered a chance to
explain New Zealand's longstanding wish to see peace and
security on the Korean peninsula, and its strong support for
the Six Party Talks process," said Mr Peters, who is in
Manila for the ASEAN Regional Forum and associated
meetings.

"I was happy to accept Minister Pak's
invitation, as I want to see for myself how New Zealand
might contribute to international efforts to assist
development in North Korea.

"We are pleased that North
Korea has honoured its agreement to shutdown its Yongbyon
nuclear reactor and allowed inspectors from the
International Atomic Energy Agency to return.

"While much
remains to be done, New Zealand is encouraged by the current
mood of both North Korea and the international community to
move rapidly towards implementing agreements reached during
February's Six Party Talks.

"We hope North Korea will
continue to work closely with its Six Party Talks
colleagues, because our long-held view is that peace and
security on the Korean peninsula is fundamental to the
political and economic stability of the wider Asian
region.

"I told Minister Pak that New Zealand is willing
to develop an assistance programme for North Korea in
support of the Six Party Talks and the peace
process.

"However before that could happen we would want
assurances that North Korea will continue to take tangible
steps towards engaging with the international community, and
towards the denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula," Mr
Peters said.

ALSO:

WorkSafe NZ has laid one charge against the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) in relation to the shooting at the MSD Ashburton office on 1 September 2014 in which two Work and Income staff were killed and another was injured. More>>

New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has announced his intention to stand in the Northland by-election, citing his own links to the electorate and ongoing neglect of the region by central government. More>>

The Government has appointed 12 New Zealanders as members of the Flag Consideration Panel which will engage with the public about a possible new New Zealand flag, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English says. More>>

ALSO:

ALSO:

The first I knew of my mother’s charges was when I was called by a reporter yesterday. I spoke to Andrew and we agreed there is a conflict of interest at the present time which means I will temporarily stand aside from the Social Development portfolio. It’s the right thing to do… . More>>